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Zhu Family History

Zhu Name Meaning

Chinese:: Mandarin form of the surname 朱 meaning ‘vermilion’ in Chinese: (i) from Zhu (邾) the name of an ancient state (located in Zouxian in Shandong province) granted to a noble called An by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After this state was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the Chinese character Zhu (邾) was simplified to Zhu (朱) and adopted as a surname. (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Zhu Hu (朱虎) or Zhu Biao (朱彪) officials who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (iii) said to be from the second element of the personal name of Dan Zhu (丹朱) style name of a son of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC). (iv) said to be borne by descendants of Song Weizi founder of the state of Song established in around 11th century BC. (v) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Er-Zhu (爾朱) the ancient name of a river (currently called Zhu Jia Chuan located in northwestern Shanxi province). (vi) adopted as a surname by the Ke Zhuo Hun (渴濁渾) and Ke Zhu Hun (可朱渾) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). Mandarin form of the surname 諸 meaning ‘various’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Zhu (諸) the name of a fief (located in Zhucheng in Shandong province) in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) possibly from the second element of the personal name Wu Zhu (無諸) style name of the founder of Minyue Kingdom (202–110 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the compound surname Zhu-Ge (諸葛) by Zhu-Ge Shipeng who hid in the Kuaiji Hill after the Chen Qiao Mutiny during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 AD). Mandarin form of the surname 祝 meaning ‘wizard prayers’ or ‘to pray’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zhu (祝) the name of an official post in ancient China in charge of chanting prayers during religious worship. (ii) from the placename Zhu (祝) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) during the reign of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). Mandarin form of the surname 竺: (i) from the second element of Tian Zhu (天竺) the Chinese name of the ancient Indian Empire whose immigrants in China acquired Zhu (竺) as their surname. (ii) adopted in place of another homophonous Chinese surname Zhu (竹) by Zhu Yan (竹晏) during the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD). Mandarin form of the surname 竹 meaning ‘bamboo’ in Chinese: (i) traced back to the state of Gu Zhu (孤竹) a small state (located in Hebei province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) said to be the surname of the leader of the state of Yelang (known as Marquis of Yelang) (located in present-day Guizhou province) during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Chu, Hu, Zhou, Lu, Gu, Shu, Su, Du, Zou, Cho

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Where is the Zhu family from?

You can see how Zhu families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Zhu family name was found in the USA in 1920. In 1920 there was 1 Zhu family living in Michigan. This was about 50% of all the recorded Zhu's in USA. Michigan and 1 other state had the highest population of Zhu families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Zhu surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Zhu ancestors do for a living?

Census records can tell you a lot of little known facts about your Zhu ancestors, such as occupation. Occupation can tell you about your ancestor's social and economic status.

What Zhu family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 34 census records available for the last name Zhu. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Zhu census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

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Passenger Lists

There are 185 immigration records available for the last name Zhu. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

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Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Zhu. For the veterans among your Zhu ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Zhu lifespan?

Between 1985 and 2004, in the United States, Zhu life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1991, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Zhu in 1985 was 79, and 69 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Zhu

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